The mid-life update of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is here and it is all set to renew its rivalry with its arch-rivals, the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna. The updated Ciaz is more feature-rich than before in all its variants. However, which variant of the 2018 Ciaz makes the most sense for you? We find out.

Colour options

Nexa Blue

Magma Gray (new colour)

Pearl Midnight Black

Pearl Sangria Red

Pearl Dignity Brown

Pearl Snow White

Premium Silver (new colour)

Standard safety features

Dual front airbags and seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters

ABS with EBD

Isofix child seat anchors

Rear parking sensors

Rear defogger

Seatbelt reminder (driver and front passenger) (new)

Overspeeding alert system (New)

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Sigma - Gets most of the basic features. For those who want a large and fuel efficient compact sedan on a budget

The base Ciaz Sigma ticks most of the necessary features. However, we would have appreciated the addition of height-adjustable driver’s seat to this variant.

Compared with the pre-facelift Ciaz prices, the 2018 Ciaz petrol Sigma variant is around Rs 36k more expensive. The diesel Ciaz Sigma on the other hand has seen a drop in price (approximately Rs 30k). The 2018 Ciaz gets a few more additional features and SHVS tech on the petrol engine, which justifies the price increase. The SHVS tech includes idle start-stop, brake energy regeneration and torque assist. Thanks to the same, the Ciaz is now the most fuel-efficient petrol sedan in the segment.

If you're on a budget and the Delta variant is on the expensive side, the Ciaz Sigma certainly makes sense.

At a price premium of over Rs 60,000 compared to the Sigma variant, the Delta appears to be priced neutrally - neither expensive nor aggressively priced. The Delta amplifies the premium quotient over the bare basic Sigma, both feature-wise and aesthetically. It offers features like cruise control and height-adjustable driver’s seat, which are not available in the aftermarket.

It also gives buyers an option of automatic with the petrol that comes with standard with electronic stability program (ESP). In our books, the Delta is the most value-packed offering in the Ciaz’s variant lineup.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Zeta - For those buying the Ciaz specifically for its back seat and don’t want the extra features on offer in the Alpha. Otherwise on the expensive side

Ex-showroom, India

Petrol Zeta

Diesel Zeta

Price

Rs 9.57 lakh/ 10.57

Rs 10.57lakh

Price premium over Sigma

77K/ 77K

77K

Over the mid-spec Delta, the Zeta gets:

Lights: Automatic LED headlamps with daytime running LED, LED fog lamps, tail lamps with LED elements

Maruti Suzuki charges Rs 77k extra for the Zeta variant and it has added some premiumness to the package. The Ciaz Zeta not only has something extra for the driver but for the rear passenger as well. The front lighting, for instance, is complete LED save for the indicators. LED lighting not only looks premium, but also offers better illumination compared to halogens. The only downside is the unavailability of a touchscreen infotainment system, which would have otherwise made the package outright value at this price.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Alpha - For those who want their Ciaz to pack everything

Ex-showroom, India

Petrol Alpha

Diesel Alpha

Price

Rs 9.97 lakh/ 10.97

Rs 10.97lakh

Price premium over Sigma

40K/ 40K

40K

Over the Zeta, the Alpha gets:

Infotainment system: 7-inch voice enabled touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Mirror Link support. The system also comes with built-in navigation

The Alpha is the variant that gets all the bells and whistles, be it in terms of goodies or styling. The highlight of the Alpha variant is its Android Auto and CarPlay enabled touchscreen system and leather upholstery. The premium over the Zeta is quite acceptable considering all the extra oomph the top-spec Alpha adds! The Ciaz Alpha is also among the most affordable fully loaded offerings in the segment.